Eetbare tuin-edible garden Ziziphus jujuba - Chinese date tree

• Article number: ZIZJUJ03*

Ziziphus jujuba or Chinese date tree is a versatile plant. Except that he has a separate bloom, there are edible fruits that are good for anything and everything.
In addition, the Chinese date is very hardy and can be planted in the ground. Whether it is heavy clay soil or even poor poor soil it is no problem, the Chinese date grows despite this fine, however it is a slow growing plant. 
The Chinese date tree grows zigzag-shaped which is a special sight if the plant has lost its leaves in October, then it is also very attractive in the garden.
Only at the end of April the Ziziphus is slowly emerging with new leaves.

In June the tree blooms with small creme-colored self-pollinating flowers.
Hereafter the fruit growth begins. Young plants do not yet give fruit, only from the 5th-6th year does the Ziziphus start giving fruit. 
The Ziziphus jujuba fruits are ripe in October. The fruits are about 3 cm in diameter and get a red / brown color when ripe. There is a small pit in the fruit. Fresh ripe fruits are sweet and the taste has something like pear / lychee / apple.
The Chinese are crazy about these fruits. The powder of the dried fruits are used in the Chinese kitchen to flavor "Kochujang" a hot soya / pepper sauce.
The fruits are also eaten fresh, dried just like dates, cooked in pudding, made into a cake, jam. The best fruits are dried as dates, then the sweet taste is even more prominent.

Chinese people also use the Ziziphus jujuba for medical use.
For example, eating these fruits is good for muscle building, endurance, extra energy, against fatigue.
Eating the fruits would also have an inhibiting effect on weight gain.
Activates the liver function extra, increases the resistance for the immune system and so a whole list!
Young Chinese date trees are hardy without any problems, it is even said that older trees have survived frost up to -30ºC in the Himalayas.
Winter hardiness zone 5b (-24ºC).